African violet named `Marla`

ABSTRACT

A new variety of African violet plant for potted plant culture particularly distinguished by its year &#39;round blooming capability, its profuse production of semi-double, ruffle edged flowers, and its compact growth with abundant foliage of solid green color which provides a spreading base and attractive backing for the clusters of blossoms.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

This new and distinct cultivar of African violet, botanically known asSaintpaulia ionantha and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar nameMarla. Marla was obtained by cross-pollenating the seed parent "Melodie"Rhonda and the pollen parent "Melodie" Farrah×"Sylvan Blue". The seedpods of the pollenated plants were used as the generic basis forinitiating further propagation trials. Seeds of the stated cross wereplanted in the hopes of obtaining offspring plants which retained one ormore of the most desireable characteristics of each of the plants in theindicated lineage. From an initial twelve seedling selections which wereretained for evaluation and testing to determine the characteristics andattributes of each selected individual from the noted cross, oneoutstanding individual occured, which is the selected plant of thisspecification.

The plant of this disclosure was selected based on a number ofoutstanding characteristics which were not seen as combinecharacteristics in previous plants of this market class. Among these arean uncommonly low, attractive rosette growth habit with large,attractive leaves of uniform, flat shaped and slight crenate marginsrendering specimens of low but strong appearance and of excellentexhibition form. The plant, subsequently denominated `Marla`, furtherdisplays prolific production of large, weighty pink blossoms which havefive primary petals which are ruffled at the outer portions, and whichhave an ununiform number of secondary petals or petaloids which effectan unusually expansive color splash of semi-double flowers appearingjust above the foliage.

I have asexually reproduced `Marla` by taking leaf cuttings to startplants in the manner traditional in multiplying Saintpaulia ionanthaspecimens resulting from such asexual reproduction have been observed tobe identical to the parent in all distinguishing characteristics toestablish that `Marla` is a genetically stable plant.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

Sheet one is a full color photographic view of the plant in bloom, thecolors shown being as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to obtainby conventional photographic procedures.

The following is a detailed description of my new African violet plantwith the color designation being accorded to the R.H.S. Colour Chartpublished by The Royal Horticultural Society of London, England, withcollaboration by The British Colour Council.

THE PLANT

Name: Marla.

Origin: Seedling.

Parentage:

Seed parent.--Saintpaulia "Melodie" Rhonda.

Pollen parent.--Saintpaulia "Melodie" Farrah×Saintpaulia "Sylvan Blue".

Classification:

Botanic.--Saintpaulia ionantha.

Commercial.--African violet.

Form: Rosette arrangement.

Height: 7 to 9 cm.

Growth: Moderate, petioles at first upright, becoming horizontal withage.

Size: Medium, to 21 cm. in diameter.

Mutation prone: Flowers occasionally produce extra stamens.

Foliage:

Shape.--Ovate, slight cordate base, rounded tip, slight crenate margin.

Length.--7 to 8 cm. on mature leaves.

Width.--6 to 7 cm. on mature leaves.

Color.--Upperside: Dark green. Underside: Red, darker towards midvein.

Texture.--Upperside: Pubescent. Underside: Puberulent.

Ribs and veins.--Pronounced, pinnate, red pigmented.

Petiole.--Flattened above, pubescent, red pigmented.

THE FLOWER

Blooming habit: Continuous and abundant under optimal growingconditions. Profuse flowering.

Number: 7 to 9 per peduncle.

Size of flower: Each flower is approximately 4 to 5 cm.

Color: Red-Purple, R.H.S. 69A.

Type: Semi-double, violet-like.

Petals: Five main petals with several smaller petals clustered aroundthe reproductive organs, margins ruffled.

Texture: Smooth, slightly flexible.

Appearance: Upperside glabrous, lowerside slightly puberulent.

Peduncles: 5 to 6 cm. in height, pubescent, red pigmented.

Inflorescence: Cyme, upright, above the foliage.

Calyx: Quinquepartite, red pigmented, puberulent.

Persistence: Flowers do not drop, long lasting. After maturity theflowers dry off and remain on the peduncle without becoming infected bybotrytis.

Fragrance: None.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

Stamens: Usually two per flower.

Anthers.--Bright yellow, basifixed, two per filament.

Filaments.--c. 0.3 cm. in length.

Pollen.--Light yellow.

Pistils: Normally one per flower.

Stigma.--Visible and accessible, becoming swollen when receptive andexuding a droplet of clear liquid.

Style.--c. 0.7 cm. in length.

Ovary.--Superior.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of African violet named `Marla`,as described and illustrated, and particularly characterized by itsdelicate pink color, profuse flowering, upright flower stems, compactbouquet, vigorous growth habit, flowering 11 to 12 weeks after pottingand its long lasting and non-dropping flowers.